Year 7 - Citizenship
How do local elections work?
How does local democracy work?
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores the difference between local and national government. Pupils consider how governments are elected, the role of local councils and the key people within them.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain what elections are, why campaigns are important and how local elections are conducted.
Key Notes
- A political party is an organised group of people who share similar beliefs and goals about how society should be run.
- A local election is a formal process for voters to choose people to represent their views on the council.
- Candidates run campaigns to tell local residents about their policies and ideas for the local area.
Vocabulary To Learn
- election: when people vote to choose their leaders or representatives
- ward: smaller, specific area within a local council's district
- candidate: a person who is standing for election
- campaign: actions or events organised by an individual or a group of people to achieve an aim
- manifesto: a statement published by a person or group of people which says what their aims and policies are
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All candidates have the same level of resources and support during campaigns.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
A political party is an organised group of people who share similar beliefs and goals about how society should be run. A local election is a formal process for voters to choose people to represent their views on the council.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'election'
when people vote to choose their leaders or representatives.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All candidates have the same level of resources and support during campaigns. Correction: In reality, some candidates may struggle to reach voters due to limited funding or organisation, which can affect their visibility and chances of success.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 7 Citizenship guide library.